Psychiatric Technician Developmental
Disabilities Board Exam Questions
A. Fixed-interval.
Rarionale: Intermittent reinforcement refers to a type of reinforcement schedule where responses are
reinforced only occasionally or intermittently. In this scenario, the psychiatric technician reinforces the
client every ten minutes when the client is cleaning his room. The reinforcement is provided at fixed
time intervals (every ten minutes), regardless of the client's behavior. This is an example of a fixed-
interval schedule, where reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the
previous reinforcement. - answers✔✔1. The psychiatric technician reinforces a client exactly every ten
minutes when the client is cleaning his room. This type of intermittent reinforcement is referred to as:
A. Fixed-interval.
B. Variable-interval.
C. Fixed-ratio.
D. Variable-ratio.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to
his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
Rationale: The Premack Principle, also known as "Grandma's Rule," states that a high-probability
behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this example, Kevin prefers playing his
compact discs (high-probability behavior) over setting the table for dinner (low-probability behavior).
The rule that he can only listen to his compact discs after he sets the table serves as reinforcement for
the less preferred behavior of setting the table. - answers✔✔2. Which of the following is an example of
the Premack Principle?
A. When Helen is not scratching her face, she receives verbal praise.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to
his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
C. David gets reinforced after every fifth dish he washes.
D. Judy gets a token every time she uses the toilet. At the end of the day she gets to cash in her tokens
for a snack.
,B. Playing basketball.
Rationale: An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client should take into account their
physical abilities and interests. Playing basketball is a suitable choice as it promotes physical exercise,
coordination, teamwork, and social interaction. It aligns with the developmental stage of a 15-year-old
male and provides an opportunity for both physical and social development. - answers✔✔3. An age-
appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client would be:
A. Putting together a 50-piece puzzle.
B. Playing basketball.
C. Driving an automobile.
D. Playing with blocks.
C. Moderate.
Rationale: The term "mental retardation" is an outdated term that has been replaced with the term
"intellectual disability" in current diagnostic classifications. However, for the purpose of this question,
we can provide a rationale based on the given options. Mattie has an IQ of 47, which falls within the
range of moderate intellectual disability. The severity of intellectual disability is typically categorized
based on IQ scores, and individuals with moderate intellectual disability typically have IQ scores
between 35 and 49. - answers✔✔4. Mattie is a developmentally disabled client who has an I.Q. of 47.
She has limited speech but does fairly well working in a sheltered workshop. She can walk by herself to
the store that is one block from her home. Mattie's level of mental retardation is:
A. Profound.
B. Severe.
C. Moderate.
D. Mild.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
Rationale: The symptoms described, including seizures and the presence of nodules on the nose and
abdomen, are characteristic of Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). TS is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of
noncancerous tumors in various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, and skin. Seizures are a
common manifestation of TS, and the presence of nodules (called angiofibromas) on the nose and
, abdomen is a characteristic sign. Therefore, based on the symptoms described, Tuberous Sclerosis is the
most likely diagnosis for Donald. - answers✔✔5. Donald is a 21-year-old client who resides at a state
developmental center. He often has seizures even though he is taking anticonvulsant medication.
Nodules are present on his nose and recently it has been discovered that he has them in his abdomen.
The most likely diagnosis for this client is:
A. de Lange's Syndrome.
B. Von Reckinghausen's Disease.
C. Sturge- Weber Disease.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
B. A simian line
Rationale: The simian line, also known as a single palmar crease, is a physical characteristic that can be
observed in some individuals with Down syndrome. It is characterized by a single horizontal crease
across the palm of the hand, rather than the typical two creases (known as the distal transverse crease
and the proximal transverse crease) that most people have. This feature is considered distinct to Down
syndrome and is not commonly found in individuals with other developmental disabilities.
The presence of a simian line in individuals with Down syndrome can be explained by understanding the
underlying genetic cause of the condition. Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of
chromosome 21, either in whole or in part. This additional genetic material affects the development of
various body systems, including the formation of the hand and palm.
During fetal development, the pa - answers✔✔6. One physical characteristic of a person born with
Down syndrome that is not found with other developmental disabilities is:
A. Severe mental retardation.
B. A simian line.
C. Unusual facial characteristics.
D. A large head.
C. Perinatal.
Disabilities Board Exam Questions
A. Fixed-interval.
Rarionale: Intermittent reinforcement refers to a type of reinforcement schedule where responses are
reinforced only occasionally or intermittently. In this scenario, the psychiatric technician reinforces the
client every ten minutes when the client is cleaning his room. The reinforcement is provided at fixed
time intervals (every ten minutes), regardless of the client's behavior. This is an example of a fixed-
interval schedule, where reinforcement is delivered after a fixed amount of time has elapsed since the
previous reinforcement. - answers✔✔1. The psychiatric technician reinforces a client exactly every ten
minutes when the client is cleaning his room. This type of intermittent reinforcement is referred to as:
A. Fixed-interval.
B. Variable-interval.
C. Fixed-ratio.
D. Variable-ratio.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to
his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
Rationale: The Premack Principle, also known as "Grandma's Rule," states that a high-probability
behavior can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior. In this example, Kevin prefers playing his
compact discs (high-probability behavior) over setting the table for dinner (low-probability behavior).
The rule that he can only listen to his compact discs after he sets the table serves as reinforcement for
the less preferred behavior of setting the table. - answers✔✔2. Which of the following is an example of
the Premack Principle?
A. When Helen is not scratching her face, she receives verbal praise.
B. Kevin would rather play his compact discs than set the table for dinner. The rule is he can't listen to
his compact discs until after he sets the table for dinner.
C. David gets reinforced after every fifth dish he washes.
D. Judy gets a token every time she uses the toilet. At the end of the day she gets to cash in her tokens
for a snack.
,B. Playing basketball.
Rationale: An age-appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client should take into account their
physical abilities and interests. Playing basketball is a suitable choice as it promotes physical exercise,
coordination, teamwork, and social interaction. It aligns with the developmental stage of a 15-year-old
male and provides an opportunity for both physical and social development. - answers✔✔3. An age-
appropriate activity for a 15-year-old male client would be:
A. Putting together a 50-piece puzzle.
B. Playing basketball.
C. Driving an automobile.
D. Playing with blocks.
C. Moderate.
Rationale: The term "mental retardation" is an outdated term that has been replaced with the term
"intellectual disability" in current diagnostic classifications. However, for the purpose of this question,
we can provide a rationale based on the given options. Mattie has an IQ of 47, which falls within the
range of moderate intellectual disability. The severity of intellectual disability is typically categorized
based on IQ scores, and individuals with moderate intellectual disability typically have IQ scores
between 35 and 49. - answers✔✔4. Mattie is a developmentally disabled client who has an I.Q. of 47.
She has limited speech but does fairly well working in a sheltered workshop. She can walk by herself to
the store that is one block from her home. Mattie's level of mental retardation is:
A. Profound.
B. Severe.
C. Moderate.
D. Mild.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
Rationale: The symptoms described, including seizures and the presence of nodules on the nose and
abdomen, are characteristic of Tuberous Sclerosis (TS). TS is a genetic disorder that causes the growth of
noncancerous tumors in various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, and skin. Seizures are a
common manifestation of TS, and the presence of nodules (called angiofibromas) on the nose and
, abdomen is a characteristic sign. Therefore, based on the symptoms described, Tuberous Sclerosis is the
most likely diagnosis for Donald. - answers✔✔5. Donald is a 21-year-old client who resides at a state
developmental center. He often has seizures even though he is taking anticonvulsant medication.
Nodules are present on his nose and recently it has been discovered that he has them in his abdomen.
The most likely diagnosis for this client is:
A. de Lange's Syndrome.
B. Von Reckinghausen's Disease.
C. Sturge- Weber Disease.
D. Tuberous Sclerosis.
B. A simian line
Rationale: The simian line, also known as a single palmar crease, is a physical characteristic that can be
observed in some individuals with Down syndrome. It is characterized by a single horizontal crease
across the palm of the hand, rather than the typical two creases (known as the distal transverse crease
and the proximal transverse crease) that most people have. This feature is considered distinct to Down
syndrome and is not commonly found in individuals with other developmental disabilities.
The presence of a simian line in individuals with Down syndrome can be explained by understanding the
underlying genetic cause of the condition. Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy of
chromosome 21, either in whole or in part. This additional genetic material affects the development of
various body systems, including the formation of the hand and palm.
During fetal development, the pa - answers✔✔6. One physical characteristic of a person born with
Down syndrome that is not found with other developmental disabilities is:
A. Severe mental retardation.
B. A simian line.
C. Unusual facial characteristics.
D. A large head.
C. Perinatal.
